Working with multiple projects simultaneously is a common need for developers, especially when dealing with microservices, modular architectures, or related repositories. IntelliJ IDEA makes it possible to open and manage several projects in the same window, which helps you maintain focus and streamline your workflow. This article explores how to open multiple projects in the same window in IntelliJ IDEA, helping you save time and effort when switching between projects.

1. Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the steps, ensure that you have the following:

• IntelliJ IDEA installed (either the Community or Ultimate edition).
• Two or more projects you wish to open. These can be Maven (pom.xml) or Gradle (build.gradle) projects.

2. Why Open Multiple Projects in the Same Window?

Opening multiple projects in the same window can significantly improve your workflow, particularly if:

• You’re working on multiple modules or sub-projects of the same large project.
• You need to reference multiple repositories or microservices concurrently.
• You want to streamline your workspace and reduce the overhead of managing multiple windows.

3. Steps to Open Multiple Projects in the Same Window

IntelliJ IDEA allows you to import another project as a module into your currently open project. Here’s how to do it step by step:

Step 1: Open Your Base Project

Start IntelliJ IDEA and open your primary project. This will be the base window where you will import other projects.

Step 2: Navigate to Project Structure

Once your main project is open, go to the menu bar and select:

File > Project Structure > Project Setting > Modules

This opens the Project Structure dialog where you can manage the modules of the current workspace.

Step 3: Add a New Module (Import Another Project)

• Inside the Modules tab, click the + button at the top left.
• Select Import Module.

Step 4: Select the Project to Import

Browse to the directory of the project you want to add. If it’s a Maven or Gradle project, select the root directory where the pom.xml or build.gradle file exists.

Click OK.

Step 5: Follow the Import Wizard

After clicking OK, IntelliJ will launch an import wizard that helps configure the imported module. Depending on whether the project uses Maven, Gradle, or no build tool, IntelliJ IDEA will detect the appropriate settings.

• For Gradle/Maven, simply accept the default configuration.
• For plain Java, set the content root and module SDK manually.

Click Finish when done.

Step 6: View Projects Side-by-Side in the Same Window

Once you complete the import, IntelliJ will load the new project as a module in the existing window. You will now see both projects (original + imported) in the Project View on the left.

You can now work on both projects simultaneously and switch between their files.

4. Conclusion

In this article, we explored how to open and manage multiple projects within the same window in IntelliJ IDEA. This approach allows us to work seamlessly across related codebases without juggling multiple windows, boosting productivity and enhancing project organization. By following this guide, you can structure your workspace for multi-project development.

This article covered how to open multiple projects in the same window in IntelliJ IDEA.